Matt Gelb

As expected, Chase Utley was given clearance Wednesday to begin swinging a bat for the first time since having surgery on his right thumb July 1.

Utley met with hand specialist Andrew Weiland in New York. Weiland was the doctor who performed the surgery on Utley.

"From this point forward it’s just going to be a matter of how he feels, how he progresses," Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. "We’re still on the same timetable we were on before and things have gone pretty much according to plan at this point. We’ll just have to wait and see how he feels as he goes through the progression. We’re very pleased."

Proefrock said the team is still operating on the original eight-week timetable that was given when Utley had surgery. That would put his return at Aug. 26, or somewhere around that date."

"If it’s a little faster than that great," Proefrock said. "If it’s a little slower than that great just as long as he’s healthy and ready to play at full capacity."

Proefrock said he expects Utley to slowly begin his hitting program.

"From this point forward it’s just going to be a matter of how he feels, how he progresses," Phillies assistant general manager Scott Proefrock said. "We’re still on the same timetable we were on before and things have gone pretty much according to plan at this point. We’ll just have to wait and see how he feels as he goes through the progression. We’re very pleased."

Proefrock said the team is still operating on the original eight-week timetable that was given when Utley had surgery. That would put his return at Aug. 26, or somewhere around that date."

"If it’s a little faster than that great," Proefrock said. "If it’s a little slower than that great just as long as he’s healthy and ready to play at full capacity."

Proefrock said he expects Utley to slowly begin his hitting program.

"It’s going to be a matter of how he feels and when he tells us he’s ready to go on a rehab assignment we’ll head in that direction."

BROWN LIKELY GOING DOWN

Proefrock also further indicated what Charlie Manuel said Tuesday: That rookie Domonic Brown is probably headed back to triple-A Lehigh Valley on Friday when Shane Victorino returns from the disabled list.

"I think any young player is better served by getting regular at bats," Proefrock said. "There’s an opportunity for him to be in a pennant race and so far he’s done very well. I think Charlie spoke with regards to Shane the other, that Shane shouldn’t lose his job because of an injury. Domonic still has some things to work on at the minor league level before he’s ready to play every day here."